I like Imuran

I am writing this for those of you our there who are afraid of Imuran/6-MP, just to throw out a word of encouragement. I started Imuran 4 months ago and like everyone else was TERRIFIED of it after reading the drug info. But in the last week or so the drug appears to have really started kicking in, and I am finally going through the day without thinking about UC, much less having awful UC symptoms. It hasn't been perfect in that it has taken 16 weeks to become effective, and I am still using enemas some right now, but it is definitely starting to work. I have no urgency, can eat what I want, feel fine, and lead a totally normal life. I am tapering off the enemas soon, so obviously I need to get through that before I sign the praises of Imuran too much, but I just wanted to say that it is a good drug and you shouldn't be too scared of it. I lost hair at first, but that was when I was on prednisone and imuran together. Now that I am just on imuran, I am actually not losing hair, and even my hair stylist - who knows all about my hair loss fear - just commented last week how thick and healthy my hair is. I use Nioxin, a hair system you can buy at salons that is pricey but seems to really work, so if you're worried about that, and if you can afford the system (I use the shampoo, conditioner and treatment), go for it. oh, and though my signature says I am on 150mg, I only increased my dose 2 weeks ago, so my improvement has come only from being on 100mgs. (i was scheduled to increase, and because at 3.5 months I still was struggling, we decided to stick with it)

So.... all this is to say that for those of you scared of Imuran, try to believe me that its (seemingly) worth it. Once you get over the emotional stress of educating yourself about the drug, and freaking yourself out about it, you will likely come to really be thankful for it, as I on. Anyway, on that happy note (which hopefully is encouraging to any of my fellow UC-ers who need to hear a good review of Imuran), have a good weekend.29/Female/NCPancolitis dx 3/07*12 Asacol/day*150mg Imuran/day (steroid dependent) Various vitamins, probiotics, fish oil.

Thanks for sharing :) Yes, I was among the ones that were afraid to start 6mp because of all the literature I read and after debating for 3 months decided to give it a try. I'm glad I did too! Mine started to really kick in around 3 months and my GI was surprised I responded so fast with it. I had to increase my dosage too after finding out that I was at the low end of metabolizing it. I go in on Tues to see my GI because I am still having some minor issues and I'm going to see if I can get tested again to see where I stand with it. But overall I'm very happy with my choice also.

Hey that is great- may the improvement continue. I have been on Imuran for around 6 months. Can't say it has made any big impact for me unfort., which was the story last time I used it. However, blood tests have been pretty normal (minor borderline exceedances at best) and no noticable side-effects in my case other than a few zits here and there. I'm actually fighting a flare right now and I like to think that the Imuran is dampening how bad the flare would otherwise be, but I really don't know.Pancolitis dx'd 1986, full med-free remission 88-97

I have had good luck with Imuran too! I think it's the only thing that allowed me to get off of pred after nine months of the evil stuff. I really noticed the difference when I was able to taper my pred under 20mg - which was probably at 3-4 months. Previously, once I got to that point the flares ALWAYS came back.

The only side effect I can tell is from the Imuran for sure is dryer skin. Nothing some lotion can't fix :) Oh and the most intense, vivid, nonsensical dreams you can imagine! They can be pretty wild - but always STRANGE.

Pan-colitis and GERD diagnosed May 2003

Asacol 12 per day, Azathioprine 75mg, Rowasa and Canasa as needed

Aciphex, Effexor XR, BCP, Rhinocort nasal spray

Forvia and a Probiotic

Osteopenia (hip and spine) from prednisone use. Started Azathioprine because I was steroid dependent.

Imuran helped me as well. I am still afraid of the long term side effects but I'm on it. I was very ill so I started at 200mg/day. I am at 50 mg/day now. I have no urgency anymore (blood, cramps, etc. went away after being on it for about 3 months. Side effects for me was only a slight amount of tiny pimples on my chin--those went away after a couple months.

Is this a drug I'll always be on? I need to ask my GI next time. I get the monthly blood levels and last time he sent a sample away for a "special" test. I guess it was to determine how quickly my blood metabolizes the drug? Anyone want to shed some light on these questions please?

Imuran and 6mp are immune suppressors while 5-ASA's such as Asacol, Colazal and Lialda are anti-inflammatories for the colon. The immune suppressors suppress the entire immune system so that your body will stop attacking your colon.

In response to your question regarding imuran and special testing, my GI says Imuran is for the long term(versus prednisone) at least for me.The special test is most likely Prometheus and it measures how your liver enzymes process the drug, specifically how much of that liver enzyme you have which determines how much Imuran your body can process and then help you heal. For me, I probably can't take more than 50/mg of Imuran a day as I don't have a lot of this liver enzyme and then my white blood cell count would go haywire, which would be all sorts of badness apparently.

For the record, I do like Imuran as well, it has helped me a whole lot with this flare, though I still can't get off pred, and will be starting remicade soon :(

Hope this helps!!

aquafly79

Diagnosed with UC in 2004

Had flares all through pregnancy last year, and current flare on and off for about 4 months...

Oh, and I second the comment about dry skin! Since being on pred and Imuran, my whole body is dry, I lotion up and drink tons of water(which just goes right through me) and I still feel parched and dry..so annoying.aquafly79

Diagnosed with UC in 2004

Had flares all through pregnancy last year, and current flare on and off for about 4 months...